Sports

By Samuel Ouma

Gor Mahia head coach Steve Pollack has expressed his frustrations following the departure of a number of his experienced players due to financial constraints.

In the last few weeks the Kenyan Premier League champions has witnessed the exit of players such as Joash Onyango, Boniface Omondi and Charles Momanyi.

Others are Peter Odhiambo, David Mapigano and Dickson Ambundo.

Gor Mahia vice-captain would join Tanzania champions Simba according to the club whereas speedy winger Dickson Ambundo is heading to his home country Tanzania after his loan stint at Gor expired.

Goalkeeper David Mapigano had joined Azam of Tanzania and the duo, Fredrick Peter Odhiambo alongside lethal striker Boniface Omondo sealed their move to Wazito FC.

Pollack noted that he has no option but to start rebuilding process after the mass exodus.

“I think you know why the players are leaving and why I am mad, all the players that are leaving they are quality players and I will be a selfish coach to say now I want to keep them because you know the financial situation at the club, “ he noted.

“First of all, they have made their decisions to leave because of the circumstances the club finds itself in , it is the big reason why they have left, I would have loved them to stay, but players come and go but the club will still be there,” he added.

The Briton averred that he has a list of players he wants to sign but it will depend on the availability of finances saying he is waiting for direction from the club’s management.  

New Role Will Oversee League’s Business and Basketball Development Initiatives Across the Continent. The National Basketball Association (NBA) today named Victor Williams CEO of NBA Africa, effective Aug. 17, 2020, it was announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Williams, an accomplished investment banking executive with extensive experience growing businesses across the U.S. and Africa, will be based in the league’s Johannesburg office and report to NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. In this newly-created role, Williams will oversee the league’s basketball and business development initiatives in Africa and will be responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball and the NBA across the continent through grassroots development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and more. For the last five years, Williams served as the Executive Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Africa Regions for Standard Bank Group, where he oversaw the strategy, execution and financial performance for Standard Bank’s business with corporate, sovereign and institutional investor clients in 19 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. In this pan-continental role, Williams was responsible for growing a wide range of business lines across Africa, including global markets, investment banking and transactional products and services, and helped lead Standard Bank’s expansion into Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and South Sudan. “Adding an executive of Victor’s caliber and experience is an important step in our continued efforts to grow basketball across the continent,” said Silver. “We look forward to Victor leading NBA Africa’s operations and helping to accelerate the use of sports as an economic engine across Africa.” “Becoming CEO of NBA Africa is a compelling opportunity to join the NBA – a widely-respected and admired, globally-oriented sports enterprise,” said Williams. “It allows me to blend my professional experience building businesses in Africa with my passion for the sport of basketball. I look forward to working with our colleagues in Johannesburg and Dakar to help grow basketball’s commercial and social impact in Africa and on the world stage.” Williams joined Standard Bank in 2011 as Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for East Africa and subsequently led Standard Bank’s Corporate and Investment banking business in Nigeria. Previously, he worked at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was a Managing Director focused on mergers and acquisitions. In this role, he executed more than $5 billion in merger and acquisition transactions and advised senior executives and boards of directors of corporate and private equity firms on mergers, divestitures, acquisitions, joint ventures, recapitalizations and corporate defense. Prior to Wells Fargo Securities, Williams was Vice President of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs in New York City, where he provided strategic guidance to Fortune 500 companies in all aspects of merger and financing analysis and execution. Williams, a dual citizen of Sierra Leone and the U.S., holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and bachelor’s degrees in applied math and economics from Brown University. He is a member of Harvard Business School’s Africa Advisory Board and has also served on the boards of publicly-listed companies and non-profit organizations in the U.S., Nigeria and Kenya. *National Basketball Association (NBA)

Ali, 20, is the 2019 Egyptian Freestyle Football Champion, while Akif, 19, is the reigning Women’s Arabian Freestyle Football Champion. The month-long virtual freestyle football championship tagged Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 came to a power-packed finish on Sunday, August 2, 2020 with the finals of the 3rd African Freestyle Football Championship. After several dramatic freestyle football battles, Mohannad Hosam Ali from Egypt and Fatimaezzahra ‘Fatima’ Akif from Morocco emerged as the Men and Women Champions of Africa for 2020. Ali, 20, is the 2019 Egyptian Freestyle Football Champion, while Akif, 19, is the reigning Women’s Arabian Freestyle Football Champion. Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, the largest promoter of freestyle football in Africa, hosted the games, which began on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 and received 152 entries from 21 countries participating in the first-of-its-kind online games. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, while speaking at the finals of the championship expressed his pride at the rapid growth of freestyle football on the continent since the inception of the tournament in 2017. “When we started this project a few years ago, it was all about passion for an art-form that deserved to be given a front seat in the world of sports,” the respected business leader said. “Today, we have just held the third successful continental championships, that is in addition to four Nigerian tournaments.” “This year’s statistics – 152 contestants, 21 countries, and increase in women participation – is a testament to the fact that freestyle football is not just the fastest-growing type of football, but it has taken firm roots in Africa.” MTN, the headline sponsor of the championship, celebrated the winners and promised to keep supporting initiatives geared towards youth development across Africa. “The quality of participation we have seen in this year’s edition of the African Freestyle Football Championship is another testament to the quality of talent that abounds in Africa, and it is truly inspiring,” said Rahul De, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria. “We are glad to be part of this initiative and will not relent in our support for developmental programmes for the youth in Africa. Congratulations to all the participants and especially Mohannad and Fatima for emerging champions in the male and female categories,” Mr De added. Eight professional freestylers from 6 countries – Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, and Nigeria – competed at the keenly contested men and women’s finals of the virtual games which were aired live on HipTV and streamed live on PlusTV’s Youtube and Instagram channels as well as Feet ‘N’ Tricks’ YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels. While speaking to freestyle football fans after the event, Mr Ozigbo expressed his satisfaction with the quality of play at the finals and reiterated his desire to ensure that the World Freestyle Football Championship is hosted in Nigeria or any other country in Africa in the near future. “Thanks to all our sponsors. MTN, who is our headline sponsor this year, my foundation, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo Foundation, and Eko Disco. Also thanks to our broadcast partners, PlusTV Africa and HipTV. Thanks to all our other media partners who supported this competition” Mr Ozigbo said. The African Freestyle Football Championships, Mohannad Hosam Ali (Egypt) and Fatima Akif  (Morocco) take home the grand prize of $1,000 each. Second-placed winners, Yousef Ayman Riesco (Egypt) and Lubna Omar (Sudan) each go home with $750, while Ayoub Haouas (Tunisia) and Evelyn Okafor (Nigeria) who both placed 3rd win $500 each. The 4th placed winners, Samir Saidi (Algeria) and Yasmine Rais (Morocco), take home $250 each. Riesco, 30, is a former Super Ball World Champion and 6-time Egyptian National Champion. Ayoub, 30, is the reigning champion of the Online Arabs Freestyle Championship. Okafor, 21, is the 2019 Women’s African Freestyle Football Champion. A panel of international judges – Lukasz Chwieduk from Poland, U.S.A’s Caitlyn Schrepfer, Yo Katsuyama of Japan and South African duo Kamal ‘Kamilio’ Ranchod and Chris Njokwana – determined the winner through the process of elimination in live battles. The final was hosted by Nigerian street dance king, Poco Lee. A variety of musical, dance, and entertainers also featured on the show.  Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 was held in partnership with the World Freestyle Football Association, WFFA with telecommunication giant, MTN is the headline sponsor. About Feet ‘n’ Tricks International: Feet ‘n’ Tricks International Limited (www.FeetAndTricks.com) is the official host for freestyle football competitions in Africa. The company is strongly committed to growing awareness and participation in the art form that is freestyle football. The company has hosted successful annual championships since 2017. Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 is the 4th edition of the championships. The events are held in partnership with the World Freestyle Football Association, the world body governing the sport. *SOURCE Feet ‘N’ Tricks International

By Samuel Ouma

In June, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced the cancellation of this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) and approved the formation Africa Women’s Champions League.

The decision was reached during the virtual Caf Executive Committee meeting held on June 30.

Now it is more than a month since the decision was made but Harambee Starlets Coach David Ouma has not moved on. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, August 4, Ouma slammed the decision terming it a ‘bad option’.

Ouma felt that Caf should have rescheduled the tourney noting that a number of teams had already prepared physically and psychologically.

“I was preparing my team by all means. We were fresh from taking part in the Turkish Women’s Cup where we managed to finish third and we were ready to face Tanzanian Twiga Stars in April then later meet Dr Congo or Sao Tome and Principe in the last round of the qualifying stage before Corona virus broke out,” Ouma said.

He argued that the continental body should have borrowed a leave from other sports like athletics which postponed their events to a later date. For instance, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) postponed 2020 Olympic Games to 2021. The much anticipated event was to kick off on July 24 and end On August 9 but failed to take place due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The coach added that the abolition of the biennial showpiece will deny women footballers to showcase their talents and market their skills worldwide.

The 2020 AWCON was to be staged in November in DRC. 

12 African-Born Players on Season Restart Rosters.

22 Teams Participating in Season Restart Feature 89 International Players from 34 Countries and Territories; all 22 Teams Feature At Least One International Player; 12 African-Born Players on Season Restart Rosters; 88 Seeding Games Include 41 Primetime Games in Latin America and 40 Primetime Games in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

The 2019-20 NBA season restart will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets, highlighting a whole new game with a more connected and immersive experience for fans.  This includes the 88 “seeding games” beginning July 30 as well as behind-the-scenes coverage and interviews from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Below are international highlights of the 2019-20 NBA season restart:

• The 22 teams participating in the season restart feature 89 international players from 34 countries and territories, including the record eight international 2020 NBA All-Stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece), Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks; Slovenia), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz; France), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets; Serbia), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers; Lithuania)*, Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012) and Ben Simmons (76ers; Australia).All 22 teams feature at least one international player, and the Mavericks have a league-high seven international players.The most-represented non-U.S. countries on the rosters of the 22 teams are Canada (15 players) and France (seven players) followed by Australia, Germany and Serbia (five players each). Embiid and Siakam are among the 22 former Basketball Without Borders (BWB) campers on season restart rosters.
• Select international players have chosen to wear social justice messages on their custom NIKE NBA team jerseys in languages other than English, including Bosnian, French Creole, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latvian, Maori, Slovenian and Spanish.
• All 88 seeding games will air outside the U.S. and Canada on NBA League Pass.  The 88 seeding games include 41 games that will air in primetime in Latin America and 40 games that will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa on the NBA’s broadcast partners in those regions and NBA League Pass, the most-ever games to air in primetime internationally in a two-week period.  The season restart will be available in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, beIN Sports, TV5Monde (Pan Africa), ZAP (Angola and Mozambique) and e.tv (South Africa).
• While fans won’t be physically present at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, more than 300 NBA fans each game will be invited to appear live on the “Michelob ULTRA Courtside” 17-foot video boards surrounding the court.  Those fans will have the opportunity to digitally interact with each other throughout the game using Microsoft’s “Together mode” to create a virtual experience by removing fans from their individual backgrounds and bringing them together in a shared visual space that will be seen through the broadcast and in the venue.  This new experience—the first to go live as a result of the NBA’s strategic alliance with Microsoft—gives participating fans the feeling of sitting next to one another at a live game without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes, while players experience their energy and support in-venue.
• Additionally, all viewers will have the ability to impact visual effects in the venue through a virtual cheering experience.  Fans can digitally cheer for their team through the NBA App and NBA.com and on Twitter using team hashtags throughout the game.  Virtual cheering will be reflected on the video boards in-venue with graphics and animations that capture the level of fan engagement around the world.  Fans will also have the opportunity to see their videos featured through TikTok Challenges.  Snapchat’s “ground segmentation” augmented reality technology will also give fans an opportunity to explore a virtual rendering of the official court in Orlando via a Lens wherever they are.
• Outside the U.S., NBA League Pass’s coverage of the seeding games will include alternate feeds with new camera angles, enhanced graphics, in-language streams and influencer commentary with a focus on areas such as pop culture and music.  All 88 seeding games will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.  Fans will also have access to in-game polls and quizzes throughout play.
• The NBA’s “Whole New Game” marketing campaign will feature a series of three spots, beginning with “It’s A Whole New Game,” that will run throughout the season restart on the league’s live broadcasts, social media channels and digital platforms globally.  All three spots will be translated into more than 10 languages, including Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese (subtitles only), Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai.  As part of the “Whole New Game” campaign, 22 international celebrities from the world of film, fashion and sports sat down to discuss the teams participating in the season restart and their “3 Reasons to Watch” select teams.  “3 Reasons to Watch” content will be aired by the league’s international broadcast partners and shared on the NBA’s social media channels globally.
• Rakuten, a global marketing partner of the NBA and the league’s exclusive distribution partner in Japan, will host online viewing events on NBA Rakuten, the one-stop destination for fans in Japan to watch NBA games and programming.

• Domestic and international media who are not on-site have access to virtual media availabilities with players and coaches, as well as footage from team practices on a daily basis.
• As part of NBA Together, the league’s global community and social engagement campaign that aims to support, engage, educate and inspire youth, families and fans in response to the coronavirus pandemic, NBA players, legends and coaches have filmed more than 45 PSAs in nine different languages to share vital health and safety information about ways to reduce risk, proper handwashing and hygiene habits, physical distancing, wearing a facemask and staying physically and mentally fit.To date, these messages have generated more than 65 million video views across the league’s global digital and social platforms.
• The Jr. NBA Global Championship – an annual youth basketball tournament for top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world – will take place this year as a virtual event  that will engage nearly 3,000 youth players from Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, China, Europe & the Middle East, India, Mexico, Latin America and the U.S.  The event, which tipped off last week, will culminate next month with a Jr. NBA Day of Celebration as part of the 2019-20 NBA restart at ESPN Wide World of Sports, which hosted the two previous Jr. NBA Global Championships.

Below please find additional international player storylines from the 2019-20 NBA season:

• Antetokounmpo, the reigning Kia NBA MVP, ranks third in the league in both scoring (29.6 ppg) and rebounding (13.74 rpg).
• Gobert (13.71 rpg), the reigning back-to-back Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and Sabonis (12.4 rpg) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in rebounding.  Gobert (69.8%) ranks second in field goal percentage
• Dončić (14), the reigning Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, and Jokić (12) rank first and third, respectively, in triple-doubles.
• Simmons (2.13 spg) leads the NBA in steals.This season, Simmons became the third-fastest player in history to reach 25 triple-doubles, behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.
• Ricky Rubio (Phoenix Suns; Spain; 8.9 apg), Dončić (8.7 apg) and Simmons (8.2 apg) rank third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in assists.
• Buddy Hield (Sacramento Kings; Bahamas) ranks second in three-pointers made with 244.
• Dennis Schröder (Oklahoma City Thunder; Germany; parent from The Gambia) has the NBA’s highest scoring average (19.0 ppg) in games played off the bench.
• Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards; Japan; parent from Benin; BWB Global 2016) leads all rookies in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and ranks fifth among rookies in scoring (13.4 ppg).
• Siakam has recorded career highs in minutes (35.5 mpg), scoring (23.6 ppg), rebounds (7.5 rpg) and assists (3.6 apg).
• Serge Ibaka (Raptors; Republic of the Congo) is averaging a career-high in scoring (16.0 ppg).

The 22 teams participating in the season restart will play eight seeding games each from July 30 – Aug. 14 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  The seeding games will conclude on Aug. 14.  If a play-in is required to determine the eighth playoff seed in either conference, it will take place on Aug. 15-16.  The first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs will begin on Aug. 17.

*Per the Pacers, Sabonis has left the NBA campus in Orlando to receive medical treatment for plantar fasciitis in his left foot.  His availability to return to the campus in Orlando is yet to be determined.  Further updates will be provided as necessary.

*SOURCE National Basketball Association (NBA)

By Bakary Ceesay

After having served the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for 14 years as member in different capacities and portfolios, Ms Allen has been elected and honored as Honorary Member of the IOC at the 136th Session of the IOC held virtually on the 17th July 2020.

According to IOC Charter, ‘’Any IOC member cease to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which he/she reaches the age of 70’’.

However, according to IOC President, Thomas Batch- ‘’due to Beatrice’s dynamics, exemplary personality and the exceptional work done during her tenure as an IOC Member which the committee will continue to benefit for so many years, it was unanimously agreed for her to be granted the status of IOC Honorary Member based on the exceptional services she rendered to the IOC’’

In recognition of her distinct services rendered to the IOC and the Olympic Movement, she will be awarded with the Honorary Membership and Olympic order medal in the next IOC Session to be held next year.

It also worth mentioning that Beatrice still holds the position of Vice President, at the World Baseball Softball Confederation(WBSC), and is also a member of the following IOC Commissions:

 Women in Sport
 Olympic Education
 Public Affairs and Social Development
 Sustainability and Legacy
 Medical and Scientific
 Education Commission of Association of National Olympic
Committees ANOC

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The 8th edition of the Bonavada football for health tournament will commence August 16, 2020, at the community field in Upper Bokova village, Buea, south West Region of Cameroon.

The tournament is scheduled for six (6) weeks and will run from Sunday 16 August to Sunday 27 September 2020. The winners in the male and female categories will get 100,000 FCFA each.

The project is aimed at using football to focus community attention on health issues. Football unites people of every age, gender, language, ethnicity, culture, and religion. As a result, it provides an effective and low-cost tool that aligns with the World Health Organization’s strive for “Health For All,” which is the basis for its primary health care strategy to promote health, human dignity, and enhanced quality of life.

According to the CEO of the Bonavada football for Health Mbua Emmanuel Mbua, the objectives of the football tournament include; to promote friendship, unity and solidarity across all age groups in the community, to keep our youths away from negative practices such as drug abuse, sexual promiscuity; to promote awareness on vital health issues, and to give exposure to hidden football talents in the community. “This will increase their chances of being recruited by football academies and professional clubs,” He said.

Mbua Emmanuel Mbua went on to appreciate various partners who continue to support the project. He has also call on other who wishes to support to do so.

Bonavada is a rural community with a strong youth base, situated in Buea, South Wwest Region of Cameroon. It is made up of the following 13 villages; Bokulu, Bokwai, Bonakanda, Bonganjo, Boteva, Bova 1, Bova 2, Bwiteva, Bwitingi, Ewonda, Mwangai, Upper Bokova and Upper Bolifamba.

The prizes in the football tournament are distributed as follows;

*FEMALE CATEGORY:*

1st Prize: 100,000 FCFA

2nd Prize: 50,000 FCFA

3rd Prize: 25,000 FCFA

League Champions: 50,000 FCFA

Best Player: 15,000 FCFA

Highest Goal scorer: 10,000 FCFA

Best Attacker: 5,000 FCFA

Best Midfielder: 5,000 FCFA

Best Defender: 5,000 FCFA

Best Goalkeeper: 5,000 FCFA

Best Coach: 10,000 FCFA

 *MALE CATEGORY:*

1st Prize: 100,000 FCFA

2nd Prize: 50,000 FCFA

3rd Prize: 25,000 FCFA

League Champions: 50,000 FCFA

Best Player: 15,000 FCFA

Highest Goal scorer: 10,000 FCFA

Best Attacker: 5,000 FCFA

Best Midfielder: 5,000 FCFA

Best Defender: 5,000 FCFA

Best Goalkeeper: 5,000 FCFA

Best Coach: 10,000FCFA

By Bakary Ceesay

Werder Bremen has announced releasing forward Ousman Manneh after coming to the end of his three years contract with the Bundeliga outfit earlier this month.

In an interview with the clubs fans media, Deich stube, the club’s head of sports Frank Baumann said the club have decided to draw the curtain on the young Gambians time with the Green and Whites and expressed empathy for the striker, who has been battling with a career threatening ankle injury for the past two years.

“I am personally very sorry for him. Ousman Manneh is a really hearty boy, who has been plagued by injuries,” Mr Baumann told the interview with the DeichStube, before going further to explain the reason behind their decision:

“Our U23 is fully occupied,” he said. “There are a lot of young players who have moved on and are now supposed to prove themselves in the regional league. And Ousman wouldn’t play a role in the Bundesliga team.”

At 23, Ous seem to have ran out of luck at Werder, as his only chance would’ve been to play in the Regionalliga, but unfortunately, he has outgrown that category. Match day squads in the Regionalliga must include at least six players of German nationality and under the age of 24, two under the age of 21, and a maximum of three non-EU players. And with his fitness issues, it’s almost impossible for him to have a run in the first team and thus the club decided to let him go.

The Gambian forward, who also goes by the name Mamanding, suffered an ankle ligament injury while playing for Werder’s U23s back in March 2018, which kept him out of action for 21months following an operation. He made his comeback in December 2019 in a U23 match against Wolfsburg, which happened to be the last game before the German winter break and although his team returned to action on February 22nd, and played three other games before the Covid-19 imposed suspension on sporting activities, Ous was not involved in any of those games. And Unfortunately the Regionalliga was cancelled in the end and this meant the Gambian striker had no chance to resurrect his career at Werder.

Werder Sporting director, Baumann is also hopeful and is hoping that a club will take chance on the young striker, who has now recovered from his injury and is looking to find another chance with a club in the lower tiers of German football.

“I’m hoping that a good solution will be found for Ousman. I keep my fingers crossed for him. But unfortunately it wouldn’t have made sense for us,” added Baumann.

Initially billed for 2021 in Cameroon, the next edition of the African Cup of Nations has been moved to 2022. The decision to move the continents most important sporting event is contained in a press statement following an Executive Committee meeting of the Confederation of African Football that took place via video conference today.

For the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Cameroon 2020,the final tournament has been postponed till January 2021 in Cameroon.

“The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said.

Below is the full statement from CAF

Decisions of CAF Executive Meeting – 30 June 2020

The CAF Executive Committee held a meeting on Tuesday, 30 June 2020, via video-conference to discuss the future of competitions and other related issues following the COVID-19 pandemicThe committee decided as follows;

Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021

After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022. The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course.  

Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Cameroon 2020

The final tournament has been postponed till January 2021 in Cameroon.

“The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said.

Interclubs 2019/20 season

The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, will resume in September with a Final Four (4) format. Semi-Final matches will be played in a single match.

Total CAF Champions League

Venue for Final Four to be decided

Total CAF Confederation Cup

Morocco will host the Final Four

Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2020

Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the CAF Women’s Champions League will be launched in 2021. The format and other details will be communicated in due course.

Zonal Qualifiers for U-20 & U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

A meeting with the Organising Competitions for Youth Football and the Zonal Unions has been proposed to finalize the arrangements for the zonal qualifiers. Meanwhile, the U-17 AFCON will take place in July 2021.

Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2020

Following the withdrawal of Uganda, a new hosting bid will be launched for the organization of the final tournament either in 2020 or 2021.

Headquarters Agreement 

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad commended the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt under the leadership of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who appended his signature to the 10-year agreement on 24 June 2020.

With the new agreement, CAF and its officials will benefit from immunities and privileges granted to diplomatic missions in the territory of the Arab Republic of Egypt in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention.

CAF Ordinary General Assembly

The 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As per the recommendations of the CAF Governance Committee, the Elective General Assembly will be held on 12 March 2021.

CAF Awards 2020

Cancellation of the 2020 edition. Major partners for the event, Pickalbatros Group, has re-affirmed their contractual commitment towards the next two (2) editions.

Financial Support to Member Associations

CAF has allocated an additional USD 16.2 Million to assist Member Associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Member Associations will be entitled to USD 300,000.

Appointment of Commercial Director

Confirmation of the appointment of Ali Aissaoui as Commercial Director. Prior to joining CAF, the Moroccan served as Business Development Manager of FC Barcelona.

Update on Transform CAF 2021

There has been giant stride in the execution of Transform CAF 2021 which was launched during the CAF Executive Committee in Doha, Qatar, last February. The CAF Administration will continue with the implementation of the major points towards achieving the targets of the project.

By Kevin-Prince Boateng*

This is not new.

Let’s not pretend to be shocked now.

Seven years ago, I was playing for Milan in a friendly game when a group of fans made monkey noises every time one of our black players touched the ball.

After 26 minutes I told the referee, “If they do that again, I’m gonna stop playing.”

He said, “No, don’t worry, just continue.”

Then, as I was trying to dribble past a player, I heard them again.

I grabbed the ball, booted it toward the stands and began to walk off the pitch.

It wasn’t the first time I had been racially abused. But this time I just exploded. When the referee tried to get me to play on, I said, “Shut the fuck up.” (Sorry for my language.) I told him, “You had the power to do something. You did nothing.” When a rival player wanted me to stay on, I said, “You shut the fuck up as well. What did you do about it? Do you like what they’re doing?”

As I walked towards the tunnel, our captain, Massimo Ambrosini, asked me, “Are you sure about what you’re doing?”

I said, “One hundred percent sure.”

Let me take a moment to explain why I did what I did. Some people have said that I’d never have done it in a Champions League game, where our team might be deducted points or whatever. But I couldn’t control it. I had bottled up so much anger and pain, and that day the lid just blew off. I know it’s difficult for white people to understand, but that’s because they have never been hated because their skin is a different colour. Still, let me try to explain.

When I was nine years old, I went to play in a tournament in East Germany. I grew up in a neighbourhood in Berlin that was poor, and that was also home to people who were from every corner of the world: Russia, China, Egypt, Turkey, everywhere. When we fought each other, it was because we disliked each other in that moment, not because of discrimination. I never experienced racism there.

But at the tournament in East Germany, I heard parents shouting at me from the sidelines.

“Tackle the n*****.”

“Don’t let the n***** play.”

I was so … confused. I had only heard that word like maybe in a song or a movie or something, but I knew it was something against my colour. I felt so alone. I felt as if I was in a place where I was not supposed to be — but this was only a six-hour drive from Berlin. How could they love me in one part of the country and hate me in another just because I’m a different colour? As a kid, you don’t understand that.

I had never spoken to anyone about how to deal with a situation like that. So on the bus back to Berlin, I burst into tears. My teammates started crying, too. None of us understood what had happened. I never told my mum about it. I just ignored it and kept going. I thought, It’ll go away.

But it didn’t. And every time I played in East Germany, it got heavier.

“For every goal you score, we’re gonna give you a banana.”

“I’m gonna put you in a box and send you back to your country, fucking n*****.”

It hurt so badly. When I was 14, I asked my teacher, “Do you see me differently from the other kids?”

He said, “No. Why?”

I said, “So why do they see me differently in the east? This is my country. I’m German. My mum’s German. So why do they want to send me away?”

He explained that there are just some people in this world who are stupid. But I began to cry. I still couldn’t understand it. And soon the confusion turned into suspicion. You begin to think that people don’t like you, even though you don’t know them. Every mixed-race guy in Germany has this. It’s like, Why are you looking at me? You don’t like me? You want trouble? Let’s go.

I became aggressive. Disturbed. I got red cards all the time. I was a hothead.

But you know what the worst part was?

No one ever stood up for me.

They knew what was happening to me. They heard the racism — and they just accepted it. The parents stayed quiet. The referee? Nothing. The coach? “Just ignore it.”

So I did. I stored my anger inside. I became numb to it.

But when I heard those monkey noises in January 2013, all the pain, all the sadness — it all came out. I snapped. I didn’t care if I got in trouble. I had worked all my life to play for one of the biggest teams in the world, and now I was going to be treated like I was when I was a kid?? I just went, No. I’m done with this. I’m going to fight these guys.

As I walked off, a lot of people stood up and applauded me. And then — and this is the key — my teammates walked off with me. Not just the black ones. All of them. I still get goose bumps talking about that. When I got to the dressing room, I took off my clothes just to show everyone that I was not going back out there. The referee came in and asked us, “Do you want to continue playing?” And at that moment Ambrosini stood up and said, “If Prince doesn’t play, no one plays.”

Chapeau.

That episode became huge news around the world. Within a day they knew about it in Ghana, in China, in Brazil. The press was all over it. Big players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand were supporting me and talking about what a disgrace the supporters were. My phone blew up with calls and messages. Overnight I became an ambassador for the fight against racism.

None of that happened because a black person walked off the pitch. No.

It happened because white people walked off with him.

That was the message that changed the world.

At least it did for a little while.

At the time I thought that this could be the change we needed. I really did. FIFA invited me to meet Joseph Blatter. He asked me, “What can we do about it?” Then in March, FIFA set up an anti-discrimination task force and invited me to join it. It seemed perfect. I would train and play games and stuff, but I would also give these people input, and then they would introduce campaigns, rules and punishments. I also gave Blatter a suggestion: To put cameras and microphones in the stadiums. That way, if somebody chanted something racist — BANG, out.

I told Blatter, “Listen, try this. If it works, you’re a hero. If it doesn’t, O.K., you tried.”

After that, the task force had meetings. We talked and exchanged some emails.

But nothing really happened. Whenever I was playing people began to target me, hoping that I’d go nuts and walk off again. I’d go to the referee and tell him to do something, they would make an announcement over the stadium speakers, and then after a minute of quiet, the fans would just keep going. A month later, the media stopped talking about it.

And then in September 2016, I received an email from FIFA. I will never forget what it said.

It basically read, “The task force has fulfilled its mission. We did our job.”

They closed it down.

I called my agent and said, “This is a joke.” What did they achieve? What did they do? They fined teams 30,000 euros? And then the fans could return to the stadium the next day?? And their kids are going to see that and take that as an example??? What is 30,000 euros to a club? Nothing. That’s the punishment? That’s the consequence?

I honestly believe FIFA set up that task force just to make it seem as if they were doing something. I’m not even scared to say it. It’s a fact. I don’t know why they’re not doing more. You’d have to ask them. I can just assume that it’s more important to them to have VAR telling us whether the ball was over the line than to get rid of racism. They have so much money, they invest so much in cameras, goal-line technology, everything. But fighting racism? Nah. That doesn’t get more people into the stadium. That doesn’t bring in the big bucks. That’s what I think.

And remember, FIFA set up that task force in 2013. That’s SEVEN years ago. And now we’re still here talking about the exact same problems….

Nothing has changed. Nothing.

If anything, racism has gotten worse.

You know, we always look to the U.S. when we talk about racism, but it happens in Europe, too. Maybe we don’t die, maybe we’re not killed, but they push us down all the time. All the time. It’s just more hidden. When I’m out on the street, I can feel it in the way people behave. They look at you. They change sidewalks. When I’m in my car, I can see what they’re thinking. How can a black guy with tattoos drive a car like that? He must be a drug dealer or a rapper. Or maybe an athlete.

Why is it like that? Because racism is so deeply embedded in society. It’s systemic. And the white people who are on the top of this system, they don’t want it to change. Why would they? Things are going great for them, just like they did 300 years ago.

Let me give you another example. In August last year Clemens Tönnies, the chairman of Schalke, one of my former clubs, made an unbelievably racist comment. He said that instead of increasing taxes to protect the environment, the German government should install power stations in Africa, so that “the Africans would stop cutting down trees and produce babies when it is dark.”

I was shocked. This guy had black players in his team. I was like, Kick him out!  The press said, “Yeah, it was wrong.” The club said, “We are against racism.”

But you know what they did? They suspended him for three months.

Three months.

A nice, long holiday. And then he was back at work.

This is the system. And it goes so deep that this kind of stuff has become normalised. But the thing is, we are way more people than those who run the system. We have more power. We have a louder voice. They cannot win against the whole world. It’s impossible.

That is, if we stand together. If we all speak up. If we decide to act.

The other day I saw a video on Instagram in which a college teacher tells a room full of people, “Stand up if you want to be treated like a black person.”

Nobody stands up.

That, in a nutshell, is racial injustice. It’s people who know what is happening to us, but who do nothing. Whenever I have heard racist chanting, there have been people who, although they were standing close to it, acted as if nothing was happening. As if to say, Oh, it’s not that bad.

Well, in case you haven’t watched the news lately: It is that bad.

I’m writing this article for many reasons. I’m angry. I cried when I watched the George Floyd video. I had to watch it five times to fully realise what had happened. If you listen to his voice, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe,” and, “Please, Mama”… it’s just so painful. Who do you talk to when you’re close to death? God, because you’re hoping to see him and asking for forgiveness. And Mama. He knew he was going to die in that moment. He knew.

It still makes me emotional … because you see yourself in him, you know? And I look at my kid, and I think, How can I explain that to my son? How can I explain that a man died because of the colour of his skin?

I saw Floyd’s daughter say, “Daddy changed the world.” I love that message. And I believe she might be right. These protests can become a turning point. More people are starting to understand where black people are coming from. They understand that we’re not here to go to war. No. We just want what is promised to everyone else. I loved it the other day when my older brother sent me pictures from Berlin, where everyone was in the streets putting up their fists in support — Mexicans, Arabs, Turks, black people, white people. The same thing is happening in Paris, Milan, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam, NYC, everywhere.

There is just one thing that worries me. Right now we seem to understand. We seem to be learning. But I worry that, in a few weeks, the world will forget.

I worry that in July or August, the protests will have died down, the media will have stopped talking about them and the whole issue will fade away.

Just like it did in 2013.

So that is also why I’m writing this article.

We have to make sure that this doesn’t die out.

And to do that, we need white people to stand with us.

Right now the Black Lives Matter movement has a lot of power, but we cannot do it alone. It is white people who are controlling this world. It is white people who can undo systemic racism. But if the white hand keeps pushing us down, we have no chance.

So tell us that you’re with us. Tell us that you feel for George Floyd. Tell us that you feel for the black community.

Because that’s how we’ll know that the world is actually on our side. That the vast majority of people want this to change. That’s the key.

I want to do my part. I’m gonna start with Berlin, and then I’ll take Germany, Europe, the U.S., and hopefully the world. I’m not scared. If my sponsors or my club kick me out tomorrow because of something I said in defence of equal rights, I truly don’t care. I only want to work with people who are woke. I thought about a George Floyd Day to celebrate the black community and black excellence. I’d like to see a concert in Berlin where everyone is invited, but where the focus is on Black Lives Matter. I’m writing a song about it. People have told me, “Bring it out now.” No. We’re going to bring it out in July, so people don’t forget.

If I have to spend my own money, I will. I won’t give up, that’s for sure. But I need your help and support; I’m a footballer with ideas, raising his voice for a good cause. I know that there’s going to be another protest in Berlin next month, and I know many countries are keeping up the pressure with their protests. That gives me hope. At least we know that this won’t last for just another week. It has to last longer than that. Way longer. And for that to happen, we need everyone.

And we especially need the following people:

The Players

There are athletes who are doing this properly: Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James and Megan Rapinoe. These are some of the big ones — there are many more who are doing amazing work.

But footballers, clubs and federations? In Europe? Other than Marcus Rashford, who has shown the world what is possible when we use our platforms, I don’t see much being done.

When Australia was burning earlier this year, everyone was talking and posting about it and donating crazy money. It was beautiful to see. But now? I don’t see anything. I don’t see no interviews, no players talking.

Where are you guys? Where are the very biggest players in the world?

There are too many players who are scared, or who don’t have the character to talk. And I feel a responsibility to call on their support to join me and the movement. I can only reach eight million people on my social media, but I’m going to use every single one of them every day. You guys have tens of millions. This is the moment to show your face — and not on a billboard for a perfume or an advert for new boots — but to raise awareness and create real change for the Black Lives Matter movement.

We need every player to listen, learn, and take action. Blackout Tuesday? That’s too easy. A T-shirt that says, NO RACISM? O.K. But do more: Learn about black history and the struggles your black idols have endured. Make a video. Say, “I stand with every black person on this earth. You’re all my brothers and sisters. I love you all.” Donate to programs fighting to end systemic racism and abuse of power. Tell your brands and sponsors to do more than just post slogans. And if they don’t? Adieu. That’s what I want. And don’t wait till next week. Do it now. Do it now, and then do it next week and the week after.

You are the biggest players in the world. If you don’t have the chance, who has the chance?

If you don’t have the reach, who has the reach?

The Media

Journalists and editors, don’t let this moment slip away. Don’t forget it after a week.

I get that people want to talk about LeBron’s shooting ability or Michael Jordan’s Flu Game. I get that. But there is more important stuff going on right now, and you have a responsibility to cover it.

So talk about racism. Keep the stories on the front pages and at the top of your sites. Let people read and understand. And keep it coming, this year and the next year and the next. We need it. Interview people. There are so many like me who have stories and feelings about racism. Maybe they can give us some new perspectives on it. Maybe their voices can give those who are staying silent the courage to speak up.

White People

I want to say this again: White brothers and sisters, you are the ones who can change this world. We need you now. Especially now. You need to help us.

Because you don’t want to be treated like us.

Some people are like, “Yeah, but all lives matter.” Of course all lives matter. But the black community is burning. So if my house is burning and your house is not burning, which house is the most important right now? Right. So help me put out the fire. And then we can both live in nice houses.

Everyone can do something, even if they think they can’t. One white friend of mine actually told me that he didn’t want it to seem like he was jumping on the train. And I said, “But that’s the train you want to jump on! That’s the train that’s gonna change the world!”

So I’m asking you: Jump on the train. Some people are always going to hate. Some people are always going to criticise you.

But don’t be scared. Don’t be silent. We will stand with you.

We just want to know that you stand with us.

*Source Players Tribune.Kevin-Prince Boateng is a professional footballer who plays for Beşiktaş in Turkey. Born in Germany, he represented Germany internationally at youth level,and  Ghana at the senior level with participations at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

By Bakary Ceesay

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) says it will consider restarting the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in October.

Football activities on the continent and around the world have been halted for the past three months by the coronavirus pandemic, affecting the qualification matches for the tournament which were to be held in March and June.

“What we can say is that all the confederations hope to be able to play again this year and each is making its own arrangements. In this regard, the Asian confederation has announced it will resume its qualification in October and November. And at Caf, we subscribe to this logic,” Caf’s Acting General Secretary Abdelmounaïm Bah told Radio Sport Info.

“The international windows scheduled for March and June have been cancelled, but the months of October and November 2020 represent a lot of hope. We no longer include September in the strategies because it will be quite complicated to have the teams travel from one country to another as early as September. This means that the matches can resume locally but international matches will be difficult to be held because of the travel factor.”Bah further stated that if they cannot make up for the Afcon 2021 qualifiers in October and November, they will have to think of another plan.

He also said Caf is considering postponing Afcon itself from 2021 to 2022. “We want to hold it in 2021 but January 2022 remains the second option for Afcon. As everyone knows, playing in June/July in Cameroon is difficult because of the weather conditions,” he said.

Also affected by the coronavirus is the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) which was due for April 2020 in Cameroon as well as the Africa Women Cup of Nations which was slated for November and Caf admits that both tournaments will be difficult to reschedule.

Recently, Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet suggested the qualifiers should be cut at this stage and the top teams in the various groups be allowed to go to the Cameroon finals. Many believed he said this because that will favour his team, The Gambia to reach her first Afcon.

Tom was among the first to call for the postponement of the qualifiers when the pandemic started. That suggestion of his came to pass.

Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 is the fourth installment of the annual football freestyle event The largest promoter of Freestyle Football in Africa, Feet ‘N’ Tricks International , has unveiled the maiden edition of the Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 championship which is first of its kind on the continent. Valentine Ozigbo, the Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, in the company’s first vitual press conference held on Zoom on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, revealed that the championship is going to be online and packed with prizes and suprises to “develop and nuture an art, a lifestyle, and a passion for many”. Freestyle UNLOCKED Africa 2020 is the fourth installment of the annual football freestyle event. A respected Nigerian business leader and philantropist, Mr. Ozigbo, speaking from Lagos, expressed his passion and commitment to continue to grow freestyle football in Africa. “We will not stop till an African emerges the World Champion, and we host the World Freestyle Football Championships in Nigeria and, who knows, it might even be in my home state of Anambra.” While noting that the world was going through a difficult time owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Ozigbo explained that his passion for the development of the freestyle genre of football spurred him to find a way past the pandemic in order to continue a tradition which had become his passion. He further stated that while most other sports had shut or scaled down, freestyle football can go on very easily in a non-contact manner to respect the physical distancing rules. The press conference was attended by over 150 participants including leading publishers, journalists, professional freestylers, and sports enthusiasts from across the continent. Some of the prominent personalities in attendance were Daniel Woods, a co-founder of the World Freestyle Football Association, Amaju Pinnick, Nigeria’s top football administrator, Lukas Skoda, Operations Manager for WFFA, Odyke Nzewi, a Director of Feet n Tricks, and Dele Momodu, the founder of Ovation Media Group. Top professional freestylers who joined the event are Titi Kone, who is the reigning African champion, Ayoub Haouas from Tunisia, Ashley Mkhize from South Africa, and Patofs from Madagascar. Daniel Wood, while speaking at the conference, thanked Ozigbo for seeing beyond the despair and helplessness in the world to hope and opportunities using virtual means. Wood stated that the global lockdown caused a lull in global sporting activities and applauded Mr. Ozigbo for his tenacity, as Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 is the only freestyle competition holding this year asides the World Freestyle Football Championship which is currently ongoing. He also expressed his enthusiasm for Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 as he saw it as an opportunity to showcase the beauty and talents that are untapped in Africa. Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), delivered a goodwill message in which he echoed the praises and encouragement of Mr. Wood. The Nigerian football boss wished Feet ‘N’ Tricks the best of luck for Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 and pledged support from the country’s football federation. Mr. Ozigbo broke down the mechanics of the contest indicating that it is designd for inclusiveness and will have male and female competitors win daily prizes while freestyle footballers would compete for the $1000 grand prize. A total of $6,300 will be given out in cash prizes. Valentine Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc, called on well-meaning sponsors and sports-lovers alike to seize this chance to push forward a culture that can rally people and foster unity and oneness. Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 begins on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 and the grand finale holds on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Feet ‘n’ Tricks International Limited is the official host for freestyle football competitions in Africa. The company is strongly committed to growing awareness and participation in the art form that is freestyle football. The company has hosted successful annual championships since 2017. Freestyle Unlocked Africa 2020 will be the 4th edition of the championships. The events are held in partnership with the World Freestyle Football Association, the world body governing the sport. *SOURCE Feet ‘N’ Tricks International